The National Union of Mineworkers is alive and kicking, and is still representing miners, their families and their communities. The NUM is still very active industrially and politically. It is over 30 years since the start of the Great Miners' Strike of 1984/85. We warned then that if our arguments for a role for coal in our energy requirements were not heeded then the country would pay a heavy price. Over 30 years on we have been proved absolutely correct.

Most of the nation's collieries have been closed, we are now at the mercy of foreign importers and gas and oil prices are rocketing. Our own gas and reserves have been depleted at an alarming rate as we have squandered them in massive quantities in gas-fired power stations when we could have used coal. At the same time access to the indigenous coal reserves is severely restricted by the closure of coal mines. At the same time we have been squandering the talents of our skilled workforce by making them redundant.

The Government should act now and ensure that an indigenous coal industry is retained otherwise we will continue to have to import coal in larger quantities at a price determined outside any control of the Government.

Energy supply and the cost of energy are of vital importance to the people in the UK and the role that coal plays should not be underestimated take a look how much coal is being used right now to keep our lights on>>>>>>> http://www.gridwatch.templar.co.uk/index.php

A UNIQUE ORGANISATION

The National Union of Mineworkers is a unique organisation in that it still has a federal structure, which is comprised of area unions covering the length and breadth of Britain.

From Scotland to South Wales the NUM still represents miners, past and present, working and retired, as well as supporting wherever we can their extended families.

The Union has been highly successful in representing miners who suffered greatly from chest diseases and other injuries caused by the negligence of coal industry employers.In respect of bronchitis and emphysema the Union's tireless efforts led to the biggest common law damages claim in history compensating thousands of miners and their families and making sure that those suffering from, and in many cases dying from, the consequences of terrible diseases and accidents received some justice for their suffering by way of compensation. We have been instrumental in getting osteoarthritis of the knee for miners recognised as an industrial disease and claims can be made through the DWP.

The National Executive of the NUM have opted to support Yvette Cooper for Leader and Tom Watson for Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. The positives and negatives of all the candidates were openly discussed and at the end of the day a decision has to be made that will not suit all but never the less

This despicable Trade Union Bill must be opposed by all who value freedom
The Tories’ Trade Union Bill is illegal, illiterate and illiberal.
Illegal because it breaches the UK’s international legal obligations.
Illiterate because it is incoherent, inconsistent, bureaucratic and nonsen

Now why did the government announce an end to onshore wind subsidies? In the immortal words of the great Bob Dylan "The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind" and with energy bills continuing to soar Amber Rudd MP, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on ending subsidies for onshore

Thoresby Colliery 10 July 2010
After 90 years Thoresby Colliery ceases coal production which is a sad day for coal mining in the UK. The lack of government interest in preserving our coal mines as a strategic source of energy means that there is only one industrial size colliery left and